CEU Business School discontinues MBA program in Romania

CEU Business School has decided to discontinue its MBA programs in Bucharest after four years of operations. It will continue to run courses only until the current students finish their studies, which could be from the end of 2010 to mid-2011. This decision was made as part of a rethink of the institution’s mission and an evaluation of all departments in the university, including the business school. Off-campus operations, such as the Bucharest department, were found not compatible with the new strategy. The Bucharest program will be ended at the conclusion of the currently enrolled class of students, Oliver Olson, country manager of CEU Business School in Romania, told Business Review. “We will still be available to provide non-degree business education, either in the form of corporate training or open enrollment programs,” he added. The decision came despite the fact that the Bucharest chapter was financially self supporting. Had it started this year’s intake, which was supposed to begin classes at the beginning of March, the Bucharest branch would have been able to continue, with the increasing trend in tuition revenues. “It was never intended to be a ‘profit center’, since we are a non-profit organization. Even with the global recession, the decision to close the Romanian operation was not a financial one and cannot be blamed on the recession. The Romanian branch has increased its tuition revenue each year that it has been on the market. Had we started this year’s cohort, we would have maintained this trend,” said Olson.

In case it becomes apparent that the market is not being sufficiently served in this area, Olson has had negotiations with a business school from Western Europe which is interested in entering the market, as he is convinced that there is still a local need for a high-quality, rigorous and practical MBA program. He could also return to Budapest with the CEU Business School after the mission in Romania is completed, added Olson.

CEU Business School has had four cohorts of MBA students in Romania and one for it Msc in IT Management, making up around 85 students in total.

The MBA program market in Romania is shared by several universities, including Asebuss, which started operating in 1993, up to 80 students each year group. WU Executive Academy has had a 30-student intake each year starting 2006.

Corina Saceanu

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